Car Spot: 62 Rambler American Convertible

This car was a star …

While doing some research for this blog entry, I checked out the Internet for famous TV cars. I found the obvious, like the Batmobile, and lesser known ones, like the 1960 BMW Isetta 300 (Family Matters), and the 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (That ’70s Show). None of them listed this week’s spot, a 62 Rambler American Convertible that starred in 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Created by Bonnie and Terry Turner, 3rd Rock from the Sun aired on NBC from January 9, 1996, to May 22, 2001. The show is about four extraterrestrials, the Solomons, who are on an expedition to Earth, the third planet from the Sun, which they consider to be a very insignificant planet. The extraterrestrials pose as a human family to observe the behavior of human beings. It starred John Lithgow (Dick Solomon), Kristen Johnston (Sally Solomon), French Stewart (Harry Solomon), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tommy Solomon), Jane Curtin (Mary Albright), Wayne Knight (Don Orville), and occasionally William Shatner as The Big Giant Head, the Solomons’ mission leader and King of the Universe. Oh, and let’s not forget the Rambler known as the Fifth Solomon. It fit perfectly in the series.

On the show, they were beamed into the Rambler American. In learning about humanity, through six seasons of 3rd Rock from the Sun, they discover they can feel an emotional connection to their Rambler.

The Fifth Solomon was a second generation American. For the 1962 model year, the “400” was the top trim level, and the only trim level with a convertible top. As larger automakers began to insert themselves in the compact market, AMC and its Rambler American was less flashy but universally lauded for their quality and craftsmanship.

The early ’60s were a great time for American Motors as economy and value were important to car buyers. Dad went to work for the company in 1963. The compact Rambler American was most often the lowest-priced car built in the U.S. It was popular for its economy in ownership, as was proven by numerous Mobilgas Economy Run championships. Always known for innovating with limited budgets. The second-generation Rambler American, 61-63, was achieved through a heavy restyling of the previous year’s model under AMC’s styling vice president Edmund E. Anderson. While mechanically identical to the 1960 model, it was three inches narrower and shorter in its exterior dimensions with an overall length of 173.1 inches while still riding on a 100-inch wheelbase. Popular Mechanics wrote “seldom has a car been completely restyled as the 1961 Rambler American and yet retain the same engine, driveline, suspension on the same unit body.”

RELATED Spot: The other star in this museum, the Hornet used by James Bond.

Car Life magazine noted the level of workmanship on the Rambler Americans was “not only acceptable but actually admirable.” 125,678 Rambler Americans came off the line at plants in Kenosha and Brampton, and almost 13,500 were convertibles. The Rambler brand ended in fourth place that year. 62 Ramblers were nicknamed “Kenosha Cadillacs”. During the entire length of its production, the car was sold under the Rambler brand and in 1969 became the last Rambler-named automobile marketed in the Canadian and United States markets.

What are they worth now? Ones in good shape will sell for well under 20 grand and some even in the 11K range. This funky little Rambler convertible is a good inexpensive entry for someone young to have some summer fun with while they learn about old cars. I’d love to have one but the closest I will get are my promo models that my dad brought home when he worked at AMC.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest spot. Come back next Sunday for another one of my finds along with some of its history. Have a great rest of your weekend and a great week.